Why Do You Feel That Way? Elaboration Questions and Feeling Heard in Political Talk

Brittany Shaughnessy, Myiah Hutchens, Janet Coats, Ilyssa Mann, Caleb Wiegandt and Mónica Guzmán
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Brittany Shaughnessy: New Mexico Higher Education Department, USA
Myiah Hutchens: Public Relations Department, University of Florida, USA
Janet Coats: Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology, University of Florida, USA
Ilyssa Mann: Marketing for Change, United States
Caleb Wiegandt: Department of Journalism, University of Florida, USA
Mónica Guzmán: Braver Angels, USA

Media and Communication, 2025, vol. 13

Abstract: Across two studies, the current work sought to understand the impact of elaboration questions in political discussion on perceptions of feeling heard and future discussion intentions. Participants were presented with a recorded video of a political conversation where we manipulated the presence and absence of elaboration questions in political conversations surrounding homelessness (Study 1) and abortion (Study 2). Results indicate the presence of elaboration questions increased perceptions of being heard and intentions to engage in discussion in the future. We also found significant indirect results where the relationship between elaboration questions and intentions to engage in future discussions was mediated by feeling heard. These findings were never moderated by whether participants agreed with the political stance taken in the conversation.

Keywords: deliberative democracy; elaboration questions; feeling heard; political deliberation; political discussion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:meanco:v13:y:2025:a:9977

DOI: 10.17645/mac.9977

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